No, Rex Ryan isn't banning the Jets from having sex

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan has provided plenty of memorable quotes during his four-plus years as coach of the New York Jets. This one, though, might have topped them all.

No, it wasn’t a guarantee or bold prediction. In an attempt to clarify what he told his players at a team meeting earlier this week, Ryan offered this declaration Thursday to avoid some apparent confusion:

“I did not tell our players that they couldn’t have sex,” Ryan said. “I did not say that.”

Newly acquired Josh Cribbs said Wednesday he could tell how much Ryan wants to beat New England, telling his players to put off doing chores around the house until next week.

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“He was like, ‘Rest your legs and go home,’” Cribbs said. “Don’t do anything for your wife. Say, ‘Baby, next week. I’m going to do it next week. I’m going to take out the trash next week. I’ll take the kids to practice next week. But I’ve got to rest for this game.’”

Some players mistakenly thought Ryan implied that sex was also on his banned “honey-do” list.

“Somebody misinterpreted the message apparently,” Ryan said with a smile.

Rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson told one newspaper Wednesday that Ryan’s message to the team “most definitely” included sexual relations. On Thursday, Richardson said he was only kidding.

“It was a joke,” Richardson said. “People take jokes seriously in the media, so let me be real right now. It was a joke. He wants us to know that the game is important. It’s a rivalry game. It’s a division game, and we have to win it.”

As for his message of banning household duties until next week, Ryan said it didn’t apply to him.

“No, of course not,” he said, smiling. “I took out the trash and everything. I run things in my house. Remember that old comedian? I run the vacuum cleaner, the dishwasher, the lawnmower. You name it, I run everything.”

NOTES: WRs Santonio Holmes (hamstring, foot) and Greg Salas (knee) didn’t practice and aren’t expected to play. At his weekly media availability, Holmes was asked about his health. “How am I feeling right now?” he asked. “Like you guys are interrupting my treatment time right now. That’s how I’m feeling.” When asked if he thought the 10-minute media session was taking away from his rehab, Holmes answered: “I was just on the rehab table when I had to get taken off the table to come to do interviews, so yes, I do.” … CBs Dee Milliner (hamstring) and Kyle Wilson (concussion) were limited, but both hope to play Sunday. Milliner, the team’s top draft pick in April, has missed three straight games. Wilson practiced with a red no-contact jersey. … Ryan called for a “green-out” for Sunday’s game, asking fans to wear green. Fans will also receive green towels to wave at MetLife Stadium.